ADHD Assessment and Treatment
It is important to keep in mind that a thorough assessment of ADHD is necessary before starting any treatment. This includes a physician interview, other sources, like a spouse or family member, DSM-5 ADD symptom scales and checklists, as well as tests that are standardized.
Experts may suggest speaking to your child's teachers, religious leaders, scouts or coaches. This is because ADHD symptoms must be present since childhood to be diagnosed as an adult.
The symptoms of ADHD
The signs of ADHD are different based on age, however children who suffer from the condition often have trouble staying focused on their tasks or paying attention to people. They may fidget or mutter answers to questions, or interrupt others. They might also struggle with organization, be easily bored and have a difficult time waiting for their turn. Impulsive behavior is often characterized by jumping into activities or running around in circles without permission. They might also be prone to using explosive excitement or anger to stimulate themselves and may even make others angry or playing pranks with them.
In an evaluation, a physician may employ questionnaires or clinical interviews to determine if the child is suffering from ADHD. Teachers may also be asked to complete ratings scales. They may also perform physical or neurodevelopmental tests to find any medical issues that could trigger symptoms of ADHD. This includes thyroid disorders and mood disorders.
The evaluation will also need to know if your child has any other mental health conditions such as oppositional defiant disorder or anxiety disorders or conduct disorder. They will also inquire about your family history, including if anyone else has ADHD or any other psychiatric issues.
Adults who suffer from ADHD have trouble managing their lives, which includes work and home responsibilities. They may also have difficulty being a good coworker or family members. They might also be late to appointments or fail to show up for social engagements due to their symptoms. The difficulties they face in school could cause an academic failure as well as poor job performance.
For an adult to be diagnosed with ADHD, they must have six or more established symptoms of inattention or hyperactivity-impulsivity for at least six months. Doctors will interview the patient as well as a person who knows them very well. This could be a parent, spouse or teacher or coach, nanny or coach for children. The information collected will help the doctor determine what, if any, tests can rule out other conditions that cause symptoms of ADHD. They may also employ a checklist designed to identify these symptoms in adults.
Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing ADHD requires a series of appointments with therapists or doctors. The diagnosis is based on symptoms and how they affect the individual's daily activities. It is essential to get the right diagnosis in order to control symptoms that can hinder family and work life. A medical professional who is an expert in ADHD, like psychologists or psychiatrists can identify the problem.
The doctor will talk about the patient's medical background and symptoms and when they first appeared. The doctor might ask the patient for a diary detailing their symptoms and how they affect their lives. This is a great way to have a clearer picture of the issue, and to decide which tests or evaluations will be needed to determine if ADHD is the reason.
In addition to observing how the person is functioning in different settings, the doctor will employ questionnaires to determine the symptoms. The doctor might utilize questionnaires for parents and teachers to assess children and an interview with the patient to identify the symptoms. The questions are often similar to those in the NIMH ADHD diagnostic criteria, which help doctors identify whether a person is exhibiting hyperactive/impulsive or inattentive symptoms.
Certain doctors may also conduct an examination to make sure that there isn't any physical condition such as thyroid problems or seizure, which could be causing the problem. Read Much more can be done to determine if there are other issues such as anxiety or depression.
Occasionally, the doctor will order brain scans to help determine the cause of the symptoms. These tests are not used to diagnose ADHD but can be useful when other tests for diagnosing the condition have not worked.
If you are an adult who suspects that you or their child has ADHD the best place to start is to speak with the primary health care provider. If the person doesn't have a primary doctor, they should call their insurance company to request a list of health professionals in their area who are certified to conduct an ADHD assessment.
Treatment options
The first step in treatment is an evaluation by a doctor who can determine if symptoms are due to ADHD or another mental health condition. A thorough evaluation may include an interview with the child and parents and rating scales that measure the behavior of those with and without ADHD.
There are a variety of medical conditions that can trigger symptoms similar to those associated with ADHD. These include thyroid issues or head injuries, as well as seizures. It is possible to undergo an examination for physical health to rule out the presence of these conditions. A psychological exam may be necessary to determine if the symptoms are due to ADHD or another mental health condition like anxiety.
ADHD symptoms can have a major impact on school, work and interpersonal relationships. The person being assessed should be honest and open with the examiner about any issues they're experiencing. They shouldn't be hesitant for fear of criticism or shame. They should explain the symptoms in as much detail as they can and include how they affect them at home and at school. Parents should be included in evaluating their children, but not in the decision-making process.
The type of medication prescribed is based on the condition that is causing it, symptoms and age of the child. For example, stimulants are typically used in adolescents and children to treat ADHD because they help by increasing activity in areas of the brain that control attention and behavior. These medications may come in the form of tablets with immediate release or modified-release tablets that release the medication slowly throughout the day. Methylphenidate, the most common medication prescribed for ADHD is available in tablet form.
Other treatments for ADHD include marital and family therapy or cognitive behavioral treatment, which teaches specific techniques to transform negative behavior to positive ones. These therapies may be beneficial to adults suffering from ADHD as well as educational and occupational accommodations.
The most crucial aspect of treatment is following-up by having regular meetings to examine progress and determine next steps. Parents should encourage teachers and other professionals to be involved in the process, for example Scout leaders or religious leaders. These experts can provide valuable information about how the child behaves and performs in various situations.
Medication
ADHD is treated using different medications. Most often, stimulants are used to increase brain activity in specific brain regions that control attention and behavior. Methylphenidate is the most commonly used stimulant in adults, teens and children who are older than five years old is the most popular. It is taken in tablet form, usually 2-3 times a day. It is available in immediate-release (short acting) or extended-release forms (taken one time a day but released throughout the entire day).
Many people have reported that their symptoms and impairments dramatically improve after a few weeks of medication. These effects are typically observed in home, school and social environments. The effect of these factors on performance is evaluated using one or more standardized ratings scales that measure the behavior of an individual to others. These ratings are not diagnostic in their own right but they can provide valuable, data that can be used in the evaluation process.
There are many non-medical treatments for ADHD that include the use of behavioral therapy and training for parents and teachers. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents undergo training in behavior management before trying medication for their children. The guidelines also call for psychotherapy and intervention in the classroom to be a part of the treatment plan for adolescents and teens with ADHD.
Most often, ADHD medication can cause nausea, sleep disturbances, and changes in blood pressure or heart rate. adhd assessment glasgow and teens who are taking stimulants may develop tics. They are repetitive sounds or movements, such as eye-blinking or clearing the throat. ADHD medication can cause a slight decrease in growth for some teenagers and children, but it's usually minimal and does not affect their height at the end of the day.
Stimulant medication does have the potential to lead to addiction and abuse, but research has shown that this is not an issue at the dosages prescribed for ADHD. ADHD can increase the risk of addiction to substances in some teens and children, but this is not due to the medication.
Another potential adverse effect of ADHD medication is the risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). A recent study found that those who used stimulant medication for ADHD were more likely of developing CVD than others who did not take the medication. Researchers examined data from 278 027 individuals, including 10 388 people with ADHD. They compared these participants to 51 672 people who did not have ADHD. The participants were followed for 14 years.